CANOGA PARK, Calif., Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ — The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne a $2.35 million contract to perform risk-reduction tests on key components of the Third Generation Reusable Booster (3GRB) rocket engine design. The 3GRB is a technology demonstration program for future U.S. Air Force spaceflight missions. Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

“Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne has a successful history in the development of reusable rocket engines,” said Brian Lariviere, program manager for Advanced Programs, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne. “We’re honored that AFRL recognizes our technical approach in providing a reliable, high-performance and innovative rocket engine solution that meets its hydrocarbon booster propulsion goals.”

Last year, Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne won the first phase of the 3GRB contract to study and evolve the concept design of an innovative reusable rocket engine using liquid-oxygen and methane. The second phase will focus on risk-reduction tests aimed at maturing the most critical technologies to that engine’s design, and will run through 2013.

Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, a part of Pratt & Whitney, is a preferred provider of high-value propulsion, power, energy and innovative system solutions used in a wide variety of government and commercial applications, including the main engines for the space shuttle, Atlas and Delta launch vehicles, missile defense systems and advanced hypersonic engines. For more information about Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne, go to www.prattwhitneyrocketdyne.com.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and commercial building industries.

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